In today’s world, where everything is digitalized, everyone is connected via the internet. People use the internet for personal and professional purposes, including online banking, shopping, social networking, and more. However, with more internet activities come more potential risks associated with them. It is essential to maintain cyber hygiene in both personal and professional lives to keep cybercriminals at bay.
Cyber hygiene refers to the set of practices and techniques used to maintain cybersecurity and avoid any unauthorized access, particularly regarding computer systems. In essence, cyber hygiene involves a set of practices that focus on the prevention of cyber threats to both personal and organizational information and systems. Cyber hygiene practices help to identify potential risks and make sure that protective measures are in place to avoid cyber-attacks.
In personal lives, cyber hygiene practices have become a necessity, given the widespread adoption of internet usage. Cybercriminals are always on the lookout for individuals who do not practice cyber hygiene. Common practices to adopt in cyber hygiene in personal lives include regularly updating and backing up systems, using unique and strong passwords, avoiding clicking on unverified links or websites, and using antivirus software.
As for the professional sector, the adoption of cyber hygiene practices has become even more critical due to the sensitive information their systems hold. Any unwanted infiltration could result in stealing intellectual property, loss of funds, disruption of business activity, and loss of company reputation. To avoid such losses, implementing cybersecurity measures is imperative.
The National Cyber Security Alliance stated that about sixty percent of the small companies that suffer from cyber-attacks go out of business within six months. These malicious activities can affect any business, be it small, medium, or large. For any company to remain afloat, cyber hygiene needs to be an integral part of their organizational culture.
Organizations need to implement some crucial security measures, such as the installation of antivirus, firewalls, and VPN, for starters. Training employees on how to identify cyber threats, proper data handling, and compliance with company policy is also a part of good cyber hygiene practices.
Moreover, companies can create an Information Technology (IT) department to ensure the proper maintenance, security, and backup of all computer systems. They can also implement a password policy that requires all users to create a unique password regularly. This policy is essential as it helps restrict access to sensitive data and systems. Additionally, all the software used should be up-to-date and secure, and all systems should be promptly updated to patch any vulnerabilities identified regularly.
Some companies use a Bring-Your-Own-Device (BYOD) policy, which can pose some risks to the company’s security. In BYOD policies, employees bring their device, be it a laptop, phone, or tablet, which they use for work. This policy poses a potential risk of security breaches, as there are no proper control measures in place to ensure the safety of the device or information.
To minimize this risk, companies should have policies that stipulate a requirement for a secure connection and antivirus software on all devices. They should also require employees to use strong, unique passwords to access their devices, specifically those used for work purposes. Employees should be trained on good cyber hygiene practices to avoid any leak of sensitive data due to carelessness.
In conclusion, cyber hygiene is essential for both personal and professional lives. It’s a set of practices that promote cybersecurity and provides protection against cyber threats. It is crucial to adopt practices, such as regularly updating computer systems, using strong unique passwords, and avoiding clicking on unverified links, among others, for personal use.
Organizations should also adopt cyber hygiene practices. These include implementing security measures such as antivirus, firewalls, and VPN, training employees, and maintaining a robust IT department to manage all computer systems used in the organization. By doing so, companies can minimize the risk of cyber-attacks and theft of sensitive data, keeping their business operating smoothly. Remember, prevention is better than a cure, and good cyber hygiene will undoubtedly go a long way in preventing cyber threats.
